Sveum On Samardzija Trade: ‘Very, Very Far-Fetched’

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That’s the word Cubs manager Dale Sveum used when he was asked of the possibility of Jeff Samardzija being moved before Wednesday’s 3 p.m. CT non-waiver trade deadline.

“If somebody asks, sure,” Sveum said on Tuesday. “It’s not my job, so I don’t know exactly what goes on in those kind of meetings like that. But if somebody brings up a name … but it’s not realistic.”

Samardzija, 28 and in his sixth season with the rebuilding Cubs, is 6-9 with a 3.75 ERA in 22 starts this season. He is under the Cubs’ control until the 2016 season.

Sveum acknowledged that it’s ultimately team president Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer’s decision, but he doubts the duo will move the right-hander.

“This is me speaking, not the president,” Sveum said. “I think it’s very, very far-fetched to think you’ve got a guy under control for that long and possibly a No. 1 guy, to do anything with. Those are all just things that pop up. Obviously … sure you’ll listen.”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel threw cold water on the Chicago Cubs’ request to begin working on Wrigley Field renovations around the clock, after cold winter weather significantly delayed construction of new bleachers.